The February, 2006 issue of 'QST', page 12 under "Media Hits" says:

"On a much larger scale, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD)
put out a call to recruit up to 500 Amateur Radio operators for their
Auxiliary Communications Service. In a press release on December 1,
Brian Humphrey, KG6IVD, reported that they will even help people get
their licenses to meet this need. (www.lafdacs.org)"

Go figure!

Dave K8MN